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Rickets.—Cases of varying severity were treated. In three eases X-ray
examinations were made at the British Red Cross Clinic. Really severe cases
are rarely seen now—a reflection of the benefit derived from attendance at infant
welfare centres and of the attention of health visitors. Most of the cases that
are seen come from poor homes, the children of ignorant parents, and it is
difficult to secure regular attendance at the Clinic as the parents fail to appreciate
the need for treatment. Cases with bony deformity are sent to hospital for
orthopaedic treatment when the active disease is cured.
Cervical adenitis.— Two little girls were treated and cured after five and
seven treatments respectively. Many other cases occurred among patients
being treated for other complaints and these also cleared up rapidly, provided
the condition was not due to unhealthy tonsils.
Anaemia.—The child treated for this condition was much improved by
treatment.
Chronic bronchitis.—The child who suflered from chronic bronchitis began
treatment on the 9th January, 1930. He had a history of frequent attacks of
bronchitis. No further attack occurred after treatment was begun and in April
when treatment was discontinued, he was very well and his mother reported
that "everyone noticed how much better he was."
Muscular weakness.—Great improvement was noted in three cases and very
little in the fourth, in which there was also mental defect.
Apart from obvious and tangible signs of improvement in children treated
with ultra-violet rays, intelligent women frequently volunteer the information
that their children "seem much better," are "less fretful," "more alert," or
"sleep better at night" and so on. Months or even years after a course of treatment
women have volunteered the remark that they consider the treatment
was the "making" of their children.
Ante-natal cases.—Many more expectant mothers would benefit from
artificial sunlight treatment, but as they need individual treatment very few
can be fitted in during the children's session. One patient suffered from pruritus
which disappeared after treatment. Another was debilitated and had rheumatic
pain. Her condition was much improved and the pain cleared up after treatment.
She was expecting triplets and two were born alive and are now healthy. The
third patient was treated for six weeks before her confinement as she had been
unable, spite of routine treatment, to feed her two previous children. At her
own request treatment was continued for a short time after confinement and she
was able to feed the baby for 3} months. The fourth patient was very poorly and
suffered from anaemia and debility. She had treatment for two months before
her confinement. She improved rapidly, gained a good colour, and at the time
of her confinement was feeling very well. Her confinement was normal and the
baby was healthy.
DENTAL CLINIC.
A dental clinic is established at No. 28, Lower Clapton Road,
weekly sessions having been held since the 17th December, 1925,
until the 12th May, 1930, on which date an additional session was
commenced.
Expectant and nursing mothers and children are referred from
all the infant welfare centres in the Borough to this clinic for
treatment.